According to experts, the appliance is not intended as a way to quit smoking
What is electronic cigarette
The electronic cigarette is a device that converts vapor diluted nicotine into specific liquid (such as propylene glycol, for example). Nicotine is the substance responsible for the addiction caused by smoking, so even the electronic cigarette has been widely sold as a way to get this dependency behind, although experts disagree with this statement and does not consider the electronic cigarette as a technique to stop smoke.
It was invented in 2003 by a Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik called, on the grounds of being a less harmful way to consume nicotine without the tobacco was burned, thus avoiding and eliminating other more than 4,700 substances produced this burning. But experts now say there is no certainty about the long-term exposure to nicotine alone.
The device works with the use of refills, and they do not always contain nicotine in your solution. Some of these refills have flavors like chocolate, mint and strawberry, which helps them become more palatable.
Other Names
E-cigarette
How does the electronic cigarette
The main idea of the electronic cigarette is to simulate the feel of a regular cigarette, but using only nicotine, which is the addictive component of tobacco. Thus, the electronic cigarette is free of other says more than 4,700 substances that are the result of the burning of tobacco, and several are harmful to health, causing lung cancer and other diseases.
To do so, nicotine is diluted with a substance, usually propylene glycol compound. This mixture is compared in refills, which are stored in a reservoir within the device. This reservoir is connected to a vaporizer that transforms the liquid smoke. In the end that correspond to the filter, the user can inhale the steam, as if smoking a ordinary cigarette.
Some electronic cigarette has a LED light on the other end, which lights up when the vaporizer is operating, making the device even more resembles a conventional cigarette.
However, the liquid refills are not always free of other toxic substances, in spite of the well to contain smaller amounts than the cigarette, for example.
Controversy about the electronic cigarette
The electronic cigarette is not considered by experts as a technique to quit smoking, which is often mistaken by the general public. Its sale is banned in Brazil by the National Sanitary Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), since 2009, precisely for not having consistent evidence of its use is safe. Still, many Brazilians use it, as it can be easily obtained in other countries where their sale is authorized, as the United States.
There is no scientific evidence that the electronic cigarette is less harmful than regular cigarettes. The claim he only contain nicotine is not satisfactory, because some of refills contain other toxic substances tobacco, although in much smaller amount.
Furthermore, recent studies have shown a relationship between nicotine and cancer. A study published in the journal PLoS One, 2013 showed that the substance can alter the gene expression of cells, making it more likely the emergence of the disease. These findings could change the recommendation of measures for this kind of therapy.
Unlike nicotine replacement therapy (such as nicotine gum and the nicotine patch), not always electronic cigarette user gradually reduces the amount of the substance that he is ingesting. As the electronic cigarette is said innocuous, the user tends to continue with the same amount of previous nicotine. That is, it is actually trading one addiction for another. One of the problems is that there are no studies that show the consequences of exposure to nicotine in the long run. In addition, the smoker uses the addiction as a shield to face situations of their day, and the electronic cigarette he continues to have that kind of attitude.
Another important factor is the quality of refills or the projector itself. Today there is no regulation for electronic cigarette in most countries. Therefore, it is common for users to report symptoms such as sore throat or shortness of breath when using some types of this device. It is not known also smoke emitted by these appliance is safe to who's around. Therefore, Anvisa considers a device that releases tobacco-derived substances, and electronic cigarette is subject to the same restrictions as the common cigarette in public places.
The FDA, regulator of drugs and foods in the United States, began designing the protocol for these products later this year, and its new practices aim to become even more rigid control of these products. For example, the marks will be required to describe the list of ingredients of their products to be studied by the agency. Also, it will not allow the brands claim that the electronic cigarette is healthier than the conventional cigarette, except that present scientific studies proving this relationship.
Other experts fear in quitting smoking is the electronic cigarette again cause the number of smokers go. As there has retraced flavors and contains nicotine, it can be used by children, for example. For researchers, this may be a gateway to the use of filters with nicotine addiction and exposure. Furthermore, it can be a gateway to the use of conventional cigarette and even to other addictive substances such as alcohol.
Restrictions on the use of the electronic cigarette
As Anvisa considers electronic cigarettes a product that releases smoke tobacco, restrictions and laws against normal cigarette also apply to him.
Expected results
Studies are divided when it comes to the assistance of electronic cigarette for the cessation of the defect to the common cigarette.
A study conducted at the University of California (United States) compared smokers who are trying to quit alone with those who used the electronic cigarette. The first group contained 861 volunteers and 13.8% of them have successfully quit smoking. The second group, which resorted to the electronic cigarette, was composed of 88 volunteers, and 10.2% of them would be able to succeed in stopping with the common cigarette.
Another study, done in New Zealand, compared the electronic cigarette with nicotine patch. After six months, 5.8% of the group who wore the patch stopped smoking, compared to 7.3% of the group who was with the electronic cigarette.
However, a review of 44 studies published in May 2014 by the FDA Tobacco Products Center concluded that lack material that show the real impact of electronic cigarette health of its members.
Side effects of electronic cigarette
There are no studies that show the consequences of exposure to nicotine in the long run yet. Therefore, no one knows for sure what might be the side effects of using the electronic cigarette, even if it is contraindicated to any person
However, it is common for users report symptoms such as sore throat or shortness of breath when using some brands that device. A study in Greece showed that 30 volunteers smoking a five minutes since these devices reduces the flow of air from the lungs. This is because they are still developing regulations for manufacturing and also the composition of their refills in countries where their sale is authorized, as the United States.
Who can prescribe
The sale of electronic cigarettes is prohibited in Brazil. Therefore, its use can not be indicated by any health professional in Brazil.
Sources
Cardiologist Jaqueline Scholz Issa (CRM-SP 60,179), coordinator of the Treatment Program of the Heart Institute Tobacco (Incor)
Pulmonologist Luiz Carlos Corrêa da Silva (CRM-RS 4414), member of the Commission on Smoking of the Brazilian Society of Thoracic (BTA) and the Advisory Board of the Tobacco Control Alliance (ACTBr)
Psychologist Sabrina Presman, smoking expert at the Brazilian Association of the Study of Alcohol and Other Drugs (ABEAD)
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